Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Seven Italians Candidates for 2006 European Soccer Player of Year "Ballon d'Or"
The ANNOTICO Report

 

Don't get your hopes up, the Award is chosen by  France Football magazine!!! :( :(

The bias and prejudice is rather obvious in that France has 11 players on the list, Italy are next with seven, followed by Germany with six contenders, and England with five.

Italy's best hope probably lies with World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro of Real Madrid.

Ronaldinho believes the competition is between himself, Thierry Henry, Deco and Samuel Eto'o.

 

SEVEN ITALIANS AMONG CANDIDATES OF 2006 EUROPEAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 

 

People's Daily Online

October 17, 2006

 

Seven members of Italian World Cup-winning team are among 50 players in the running for the 2006 European Footballer of the Year award - the Ballon d'Or, local media reported on Monday.

They are goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defenders Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta, midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, and striker Luca Toni.

The prestigious prize, awarded each year by the France Football magazine, is set to revive the rivalry between the Azzurri and France, who they beat in July's World Cup final.

France have 11 players on the list, which the magazine will officially present on Tuesday, more than any other country and region.

Italy are next, followed by Germany with six contenders and England with five.

Somewhat controversially, the French contingent features Zinedine Zidane, who was sent off in the World Cup final for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

The list also includes France and Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira and AC Milan's Brazil star Kaka, the two non-Italian contenders who play in Serie A.

Italy's best hope probably lies with World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro of Real Madrid.

The last Italian to be crowned European Footballer of the Year was Roberto Baggio, who claimed the prize in 1993.

http://english.people.com.cn/

200610/17/eng20061017_312568.html

 

NO ITALIANS ON RONALDINHO LIST


SoccerWay 

Daniel Grech

 October 17, 2006


BARCELONA, (SW) - Brazilian international Ronaldinho believes no Italian players will pick up the European Footballer of the Year trophy.

"This year's competition will be fierce and my rivals are Thierry Henry, Deco and Samuel Eto'o," said the Barcelona player.

He added, "I won the Liga and the Champions League, Henry played in the World Cup Final, Deco is an excellent midfielder and Eto'o is a great scorer. We all have great chances of winning the title."

However the Brazilian failed to mention any of the Italian World Cup winning squad as contenders for this year's award, despite seven players being nominated.

Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo all made the shortlist.

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/

October/17/no-italians-on-ronaldinho-list/

 

 

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